Tooler

Pickpockets took to housebreaking and housebreakers joined gangs of street thieves; cracksmen's mistresses were often toolers and shoplifters.

A tooler was the most elite of the pickpockets, a planner and plotter, a boy with brains, daring and courage. At any one time Ikey hoped for four toolers in the making and two fully blown and working at the top of their trade.